The letter calls for seven changes, including a new way to deal with grievances and a relaxation of restrictions on non-Sydney ministers coming into the diocese. It will be considered by the diocese's policymaking body on Monday.

Dr Mascord said there was an emerging culture of fear and a trend towards "censorship of thought" within the diocese when it should be motivated by love, humility and openness.

The bishop celebrated communion at the entrance plaza before Federal Protective Service officers began arresting protesters for lying down and blocking the two main doors. The officers passed Andrus in their first round of arrests as he was not positioned in front of the doors.

They also signalled his intention to declare all-out war on secularists, who he claimed were unfairly blaming other faiths to advance their own anti-religious agenda.

"Aggressive secularists are trying to pretend that it is possible to enter into the true meaning of Christmas by leaving out Jesus Christ," he said.

However, in a ruling issued Thursday, Velasquez found that the national church "has not added anything legally material" to the original complaints.

Velasquez dismissed suits by the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles against the churches last year.

In his rulings, Velasquez said that neither the local diocese nor the national church has a rightful claim on land, buildings or items such as hymnals and prayer books used in worship by the congregations of the three churches.